AMERICA'S PACIFIC COAST

09/25/2012 - 10/05/2012

    

HIGHLIGHTS:   Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Sand Dunes, Old Town Bandon, Giant Redwoods, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Monterey Peninsula, Carmel, Hearst Castle, Hollywood, Las Vegas, & lots more... 16 Meals

 

SEP 25 ...  We meet at the airport for our transcontinental flight to the Pacific Northwest, arriving in Seattle for lunch and a brief sightseeing tour before driving down to the "City of Roses" for a 2 night stay in Portland.  We check into our hotel and enjoy our Welcome Dinner.  (D)

SEP 26 ...  Our tour today carries us along the scenic Columbia River Gorge with its many beautiful waterfalls, overlooks, and Bonneville Dam with its fish ladders.  We'll have lunch overlooking the spectacular Falls at Multnomah before returning to Portland in the afternoon.  Relax and take in the beauty of the Northwest. (B,L)

SEP 27 ...  Continuing southwest, we arrive along the rugged Oregon coast, with waves crashing into rocky cliffs and pebble-strewn beaches.  The group enjoys lunch at Mo's in Florence as we get set for an exciting experience, unique to the area.  Enjoy a wild adventure on a Dune Buggy ride on the National Dune Recreation Area with its sand dunes towering 400 feet high!  Later we stop at a myrtle wood factory in Coos Bay to shop for souvenirs made from this fragrant wood. Our overnight is here along the Oregon coast.   (B,L)

SEP 28...  Early morning as we travel historic 101 along the southern Oregon coast into California. Lunch is a treat as we stop at the Somoa Cookhouse, the last surviving cookhouse in the West, which continues the tradition of serving lots of good food - lumber camp style!  Entering Giant Redwood country, we travel along the "Avenue of the Giants, through both the Humboldt and Richardson groves to witness firsthand these towering trees that dwarf everything around them.  We'll continue through the redwoods to the town of Ukiah, voted the best place to live in California.  (B,L)

SEP 29 ...  Today is set aside for California's famous Wine Country, as we head into Napa Valley.  With vineyards on both sides of the road, we stop a local winery for tasting, enjoy lunch, a chance to browse the many unique shops of Napa and the other villages of the Valley. Later we continue over the Golden Gate Bridge for a 2 night stay in San Francisco. (B)

SEP 30 ...  Touring San Francisco, we see "The City by the Bay" from many vantage points...Twin Peaks with its panoramic view of the city's 45 hills, Union Square, China Town, Nob Hill, and then finish at Fisherman's Wharf for an opportunity to sample the many seafood dishes made famous here.  Take a Cable Car ride this afternoon and enjoy one of America's most charming cities.  Dinner tonight will be at one of the fine California restaurants in the Wharf district..  (D)

Oct 1 ...  Today provides one of the highlights of our trip as we travel south to the Monterey Peninsula for the scenic 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach and Carmel. With stops at the Lone Cypress, and lookouts along the way, be sure to have your camera ready. Lunch is on your own in the storybook village of Carmel, and you will have time to browse in the many boutiques and shops of town. This afternoon we travel over a spectacular route through Big Sur, with the highway winding along the scenic Pacific coastline. Later we arrive in San Simeon for our overnight high above the ocean. (D)

OCT 2 ...  After breakfast we'll tour one of the greatest examples of wealth in America, imposing Hearst Castle perched high in the hills overlooking the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Later, we continue southward to the tiny Scandinavian village of Solvang with time to browse at leisure before arriving in Los Angeles for a two night stay.  (B,D)

OCT 3 ...   This morning we meet a guide for a visit to Hollywood, with Grumman's Chinese Theater, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and a lunch time stop at the Farmers Market.  This afternoon we travel across the desesrt and arrive in the glittering oasis of Las Vegas.  The "City That Never Sleeps" awaits us, as we will have our final nights in this exciting destination.  (B,D)

OCT 4 ...  Breakfast and today we visit the amazing Hoover Dam for a tour of this engineering marvel that uses the power generated by the Colorado River to produce electricity for this area.  Just the gigantic size of the facility is unbelievable.  Later we return to Las Vegas and the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the many sights of this city.  You can walk Las Vegas Blvd, take the tram to other casinos and resorts, take in a show, and enjoy fine meals in this amazing resort in the desert. (B)

OCT 5 ...   All too soon, it is time to take our return flight home after a spectacular Western  adventure along America's West Coast. (B)

 

 

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